Library

[Prescription Verse] Shoufabei (Back-of-hand Carbuncle) initially presents with a shape resembling thorns, caused by the conglomeration of Wind, Fire, and Dampness in the Three Yang meridians. If it is hard and ulcerates to expose bone and sinew, it is dangerous; if it swells high and ulcerates rapidly, it is easy to heal.

[Annotation] This condition arises on the back of the hand and belongs to the Hand Three Yang meridians, formed by the stagnation of Wind-Fire and Dampness. Initially, it resembles a thorn, gradually becoming painful. If it is high-swollen, red, vibrant, hot, and ulcerates quickly, it is classified as a carbuncle (Yong, 痈); if it is diffusely swollen, hard, without redness or heat, and ulcerates slowly, it is classified as a deep abscess (Ju, 疽). Regardless of its size or shape, if the ulceration is deep enough to expose bone and sinew, it is difficult to cure. In the initial stage, Qianghuo San (Notopterygium Decoction) should be taken to induce sweating, followed by Neishu Huanglian Tang (Internal-Draining Coptis Decoction) to clear heat. All other internal and external treatments follow the guidelines in the "Carbuncles and Ulcers: Swelling Stage" and "Ulcer Stage" sections.

Prescription: Qianghuo San
Composition: Qianghuo (Notopterygii Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) [each 2 qian]; Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Wuyao (Linderae Radix); Weilingxian (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma? Note: Standard is Salviae Miltiorrhizae but often refers to Clematidis Radix in ancient texts, here kept as Weilingxian) [each 1.5 qian]; Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma); Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica); Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) [each 1 qian]; Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, raw) [0.5 qian]; Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) [0.3 qian].
Preparation and Administration: Decoct with one zhong of wine and one zhong of water until reduced to one zhong. Take after meals.

[Prescription Verse] Qianghuo San treats Shoufabei, removing dampness, inducing sweat, and pursuing wind; it contains Shengma, Qianhu, Duhuo, Jingjie, Danggui, Gancao, along with Wuyao, Weilingxian, Jiegeng, and Rougui.

Another Prescription: Neishu Huanglian Tang (See "Swelling Stage" section)

[Prescription Verse] Zhangxin Du (Palm Poison) manifests as red swelling and pain, belonging to the Pericardium Meridian, formed by accumulated heat. If it occurs on the side of the palm, it is called Chuanshang (Penetrating Palm); initially, sweating is appropriate, followed by clearing heat.

[Annotation] This condition arises in the center of the palm, presenting with red swelling and pain, belonging to the Laogong acupoint of the Pericardium Meridian, formed by accumulated heat. If it occurs on the edge of the palm, it is called Chuanshang Du (Penetrating Palm Poison), also known as Chuan Geng Du (Penetrating Ridge Poison) or Zi Yong (Stork Abscess). The initial treatment is the same as for Shoufabei; all other treatments follow the "Carbuncles and Ulcers: Swelling Stage" and "Ulcer Stage" sections.

[Prescription Verse] Hukou Ju (Web-Space Deep Abscess) arises at the Hegu acupoint, belonging to the Large Intestine Meridian, formed by the conglomeration of Damp-Heat. A deep root indicates Ding (Ding, 疔 - a type of acute infection), while a large area indicates Ju (Deep Abscess); hardness, numbness, and pain are clarified through sweating and acupuncture.

[Annotation] This condition arises at the Hegu acupoint, between the metacarpal bones of the thumb and index finger, belonging to the Large Intestine Meridian, formed by the conglomeration of Damp-Heat. It is also known as Yacha Du (Fork Poison) or Baxie Du (Split Crab Poison). Initially, it is bean-sized, diffusely enlarged, blue-purple in color, numb, painful, and hard, called Hukou Ju; if it initially presents as small millet-like pustules, itchy, burning, painful, with a deep root and a red line extending towards the axilla, it is called Hegu Ding (Hegu Acute Infection). Whether Ding or Ju, the initial treatment involves taking Qianghuo San to induce sweating and Neishu Huanglian Tang to clear heat. For Ju conditions, when pus is ripe and heat is present, acupuncture should be used for drainage; other treatments follow the "Carbuncles and Ulcers: Swelling Stage" and "Ulcer Stage" sections. For Ding conditions, at the onset, the root of the Ding should be pricked out; if there is a red thread, it should be cut off with a needle at the end of the red thread. Other treatments follow the "Ding" section.

Prescriptions: Qianghuo San (See Shoufabei); Neishu Huanglian Tang (See "Swelling Stage" section)